Dig up dirt Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɪɡ/ /ˈəp/ /ˈdɝt
DIG-up-DERT
dˈɪɡ/ /ˈʌp/ /dˈɜːt
DIG-up-DURT
Definition
To find or reveal unpleasant, secret, or embarrassing information about someone, usually to harm their reputation.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal, sometimes negative or gossipy. Commonly used in journalism and politics ('reporters dig up dirt'), or when referring to exposing secrets. Not about actual digging; don't use for physical actions.
Spanish: sacar trapos sucios - buscar información comprometedoraPortuguese (BR): descobrir podres - levantar sujeiraPortuguese (PT): descobrir podres - levantar traposChinese (Simplified): 挖黑料 - 揭老底Chinese (Traditional): 挖黑料 - 揭老底Hindi: गड़े मुर्दे उखाड़ना - बदनाम करने वाली जानकारी निकालनाArabic: البحث عن فضائح - كشف أمور سيئةBengali: গোপন কথা ফাঁস করা - অপমানজনক তথ্য বের করাRussian: компромат искать - грязь копать (перен.)Japanese: スキャンダルを暴く - 悪事を暴くVietnamese: tìm kiếm điều xấu - moi móc bí mậtKorean: 약점을 캐다 - 비밀을 파헤치다Turkish: kirli çamaşırlarını ortaya çıkarmak - birinin hakkında bilgi (leke) bulmakUrdu: پردہ فاش کرنا - راز اگلواناIndonesian: membongkar aib - mencari-cari keburukan
Example Sentences
Some people try to dig up dirt before an election.
basic
The reporter wanted to dig up dirt on the celebrity.
basic
Don't try to dig up dirt about your coworkers.
basic
She tried to dig up dirt but found nothing scandalous.
natural
Whenever someone's successful, people start to dig up dirt on them.
natural
He was worried the press would dig up dirt from his past.
natural